Design and synthesis of HFCA-based plasticizers with asymmetrical alkyl chains for poly(vinyl chloride)

A series of bio-based diester plasticizers with various alkyl chain asymmetry and the same molecular weight were designed and synthesized, using renewable 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (HFCA) as the raw material. The chemical structures of the HFCA-based plasticizers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR and 13 C NMR). Besides, the influence of alkyl chain asymmetry on plasticization properties of the HFCA-based plasticizers in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) blends was also investigated. It was found that increasing the alkyl chain asymmetry of the diester plasticizer and keeping the molecular weight unchanged simultaneously could further improve its plasticizing efficiency, without sacrificing its volatility resistance and exudation resistance. The results showed that this study provided a new approach for further optimizing the overall properties of the asymmetric diester plasticizers.